Sequence-Dependent Self-Assembly of Chiral Polyimides.

Sequence-defined chiral polyimides comprising identical asymmetric diamine monomers arranged in different directions along the main chain were designed and prepared. These new sequence-defined polymers exhibit sequence-dependent self-assembly behaviors and responses to ibuprofen enantiomers, as revealed by their chiroptical spectra and gelation properties. For the first time, the self-assembly of polymers and their interactions with guest molecules have been successfully controlled by means of the directional arrangement of the monomers in their polymer backbones.